Dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) cause great distress to untold numbers of children ・and their parents.
These stressful developmental conditions are far more common than you would expect, affecting ・to some degree ・an alarmingly high number of school-aged children (up to 20 per cent) and accounting for the majority of minors with special educational needs.
But now it痴 been announced that deficiencies in a family of micronutrients, called essential fatty acids (found in fish oil and evening primrose oil) may cause dyslexia and ADHD. In clinical trials, ADHD children treated with fatty acids had a reduction in symptoms.
This greater understanding will help scientists tackle serious behavioural and learning difficulties associated with dyslexia and ADHD, which usually persist into adulthood, having sometimes grim consequences for the individuals affected, their families and for society overall.
Dr Alexandra Richardson, a senior research fellow in neurosciences at Imperial College School of Medicine, London, has spent the last 15 years researching common developmental conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD.
Dr Richardson says, 典he first trial involving dyslexic children showed that supplementation with fish oil and evening primrose oil can reduce behavioural and learning problems in those with ADHD tendencies.
撤articular improvements were found in attention, concentration and working memory, but disruptive behaviour and hyperactivity in these children also responded to EFA (essential fatty acids) treatment and marked reductions were seen in anxiety and withdrawal.・P> Studies investigating mood disorders have shown the importance of diet in brain function. One study found that the rate of depression varied depending on the level of seafood consumption. Those who ate more fish had lower levels of depression.
EFAs, such as those found in fish oil and evening primrose oil, are crucial for normal brain development and function. EFA deficiencies can be found in people with dyslexia and ADHD.
Each developmental condition has defining features:
Dyslexia ・specific difficulties in learning to read and write.
ADHD ・persistent and age-inappropriate difficulties with attention, hyperactivity-impulsivity or both.
It has been found that dyslexia and ADHD can occur together in 30-50 per cent of cases.
These conditions can occur as a result of genetic bias, environmental toxins and changes affecting nutrition and diet.
Increased rates of depression over the last century could possibly be attributed to the very low levels of omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) in the diet. These changes in our diet are also thought to be causing the increased rate of behavioural and learning difficulties.
In the 1980s, scientists started to see a connection between the physical signs (eg excessive thirst, frequent urination, rough or dry skin and hair) of EFA deficiency and behavioural abnormalities.
Dr Richardson痴 guidelines for identifying people most likely to benefit from fish oil and evening primrose oil supplements are those with:
Physical signs ・excessive thirst, frequent urination, rough or dry skin and hair, dandruff and soft or brittle nails.
Atopic conditions ・eczema.
Visual symptoms ・poor night vision or sensitivity to bright light and visual problems when reading: for example letters or words move, swim or blur on a page.
Attention problems ・distractibility, lack of concentration, memory problems like 礎rain fog・Emotional sensitivity ・high anxiety, mood swings, temper tantrums arising from a low frustration tolerance.
Sleep problems ・especially those who have difficulty in both falling asleep and awaking in the morning.
Dr Richardson suggests supplements containing a high dose of fish oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E and other antioxidant vitamins.
擢inally・ says Dr Richardson, 妬t is emphasised that factors other than EFA should always be considered in the nutritional management of behavioural and learning difficulties. An adequate supply of other essential micronutrients is crucial and many, such as zinc, are likely to have interactive effects on fatty acid metabolism.・
References
Richardson, A. Fatty acids in dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and the autistic spectrum. The Nutrition Practitioner. 2001;3(3):18-24,66